Hitch for spike toothed harrows



Sept. 28,` 1954 H Q CROUCH ETAL 2,690,110

HITcH FOR SPIKE TOTHED HARRows Filed Deo. 3, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 28, 1954 H. G. cRoucH Erm. 2,690,110 HITcH FOR SPIKE TooTHED HARRows Filed DGO. 3, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. G. CROUCH ET AL HITCH FOR SPIKE TooTHED HARRows Sept. 28, 1954 A3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed DeG, 3. 1949 r m r f 0 N WH Vf. o u m wwf r mv \.o mm, mm, om |T Nv Q. ma A I- I r f wm, QM wh f www .om NMA! Q f Uhm. .Q

WN vmk mllMHmu lik) Patented Sept. 28, 1954 23690D110i'fl HITCHA FOR SBIKEJTOOTHED HARROWS HarryGr Crouch, Detroit, andClarence-BfRichey;V

Royalf-Oak;4 Michi, `assignors,

to., Eord1 ;Motori ments;

by: mesne assignsY Company;AA Dearborn,

Michc', ai corporatiom-of Delaware.y Application' December 3, 1il49jiserial'No.AV 1302934 liClaim.

inventionrelates to improvements ini a spike tooth-` harrow and more particularlyft'o an improved arrangement: for y#mounting 1 of such a h arrew to aVv tractor having1 vertically swingable,l hydraulically operated'f hitch links.

Spike toothnarrows havefbeen` longused' byvr farmers -for *smoothing-the field afterA plowing as anarrow of: this #type is par or afterdiscing, ticul'arly ei-fectivein breaking up` clods lof dirtand generally pulverizingf-and leveling thev soilin-v preparation for planting. Such harrowsfareAll generally of `substantial lateral extent-in-orderto cover-al large ground area Ywith aminimumnumber-of traverses 'by-4 the tractor.`v

However; in trailingsuchaI relatively-large'-iinplement', the problem of mounting such'rimplement'4 on\ the tractor becomes somewhat diiicult of solution -f due` to its size; especially if such implement-is to betransported to various locations in-araised position behind-the tractor; Obviously,. it" is` advantageous to;y transport an im-v plementof this character-in such a raisedposition, because then the are@ out` ofl contact' with the', ground; thereby keeping( suchI elements in a "sharpcondition and".` damage to pavedl roadways;

likewise preventing or grassed waterways.

Accordingly,` itis an' obj ectN of-"this' invention;

to-provide an improvedispike tooth. narrow 'constructiorr particularly i adapted for attachment tol the? hydraulically' operatedl hitch; links of'a` tractor:

Another object of this invention-"is 'to-:provide a mounting arrangementfor a" spike4 tooth harrow which is: readilyzand' quickly; attacha'ble' to the hydraulically roperated--l1itch linksfof `a tractor andv which is ycapable .of-'supporting such.

harrow'inl a relativelyrigidearrying position.`

Stillanotherobject of this invention is to provide alinkage arrangement for a,-v spike tooth.' narrow4 whereby such4 narrow. may be iloatingly connected'to a tractorwhen inaworkingposi'- tion,while allowing the harrow to be raisedjto a transporting position by the hydraulically op.- erated verticallyswingable hitch links of a tractor'.V

The specific nature of.'v this invention,f as well and.. advantagesthereof, willY becomefapparent, to4 those skilled in :the-art fromv 150,

as .-,other. objects the.. following detailed description-taken in.- con? junction with. the -attached drawings onuwhich, isk illustrated.

by .way,of. preferred. example only, one embodiment of. y this-invention.r

Onthe Idrawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the main central ground-engaging elements Zai sectionof a spike= tooth harrowlconstruct'ediin accordance Withj this `invention.

Figure 2 is -a sectional-'viewotthe'harrow 'takene alongf thef-plane'z-Z ofFig-ure 1, showing the-- harrowin ground" engaging position' and -f conr nectedi tov a tractor* having hydraulically oper ablehitch links..A`v

Figure-4iis a sectionalview taken-bn-fthe'plane L 4"-4'5016 vlFigure f2;

Figure1 6 isiafsectional`Z View taken:4 onv theifplane E I'of. Figure2- Figure' 7 is--a sectionall'v-iew' taken fonf the kplane '-1 'I--1 ofA Figure v2S Figure'r 8 Slis-a1 sectionabv viewitak'enfon: the; plane 8-"-8.f'offl Figure 3.

The-centralisection'.v I0 of I`ai-spike1-tooth harrow' embodying-. 1` this invention comprises-Ly essentially f apair of'.v longitudinally extending;U channel4-Y shaped' framemembers: I I'lofifzig-zagfvconfigural v tion.. spaced/apart by a zplurality oftransVersely-v ra'lity ofi'A depending:,spikeifl members`-` I 32 arel seeat equally-1 spaced adjacentrbarV I 2&1

cured.. on .Leach of: the. barsU I-2' intervals. Spikesi I3y .oniea'clr -lhowevergfare;so. arrangedxas .tof provide .a stag' geredlrelationshiploty the spikes as 1 shown in- Fig# l ure.. .1 :toi permit. .betten coverage. of., the ground-fi aszthe.l spike: harrow.v4 is'. dragged :.thereover.'

Ai.. pluralityl f ofi= harrow'ey sections as` above described mayabel pivotally 'securedrtogetherf fto pro-v-`rr vide afunit.ofxsubstantially greater. length. r` Such I pivotali .connection comprisesiaf i hinged'- .jointi as shoownfzat' I4 Figure.y 1 provided atfrespectivew endsrotubulandrawfbar.3l Hinge I4 comprises. aninnerzchannelL-shaped member |46 welded to'l the.:ends -ofrbarfSI' and .stiffenedllby a gussetfplant MdL' welded respectivelyy toV bar. 3:15 and:v inner'` hinges member; I 4b.. Af correspondingly-'shaped .l outeizhinge memberfilw is welded tether-end off" Kthe draw bar; oflan: adjacent fharrow section .I Ilaand ,slbg suchioutenihingev member beingy like# i wisestiifened -by i a .gussetfi 40;- The outer' hinge f. I 4a: snuglyssurrounds';innershingell biand-sis: pivn otallygconn'ected thereto bysaatransverserpimMore 5l hThe pivot ipoint :isalocatedfrneamthe fiupnenrendsiv; of the two hinge members Ila and I4b as sham in Figure 3, thus a substantial portion of the weight of sections Illa and 10b rests near the bottom of the hinge connection. Each section 10a. and Itlb may be readily pivoted about pin Hic for folding over the main harrow section l to reduce the over-all width of the implement when transporting the implement.

Spikes I3 disposed along bars l2 are readily adjustable from a vertical position as shown in Figure l to a sloped position (not shown) by a lever and linkage arrangement as shown at l5 whereby the depth of penetration of such spikes may be substantially reduced. Such arrangement comprises a horizontal bar I6 oiset as shown at lila in Figure 1 and maintained in spaced parallel relationship from a center support bar il by a plurality of links I8. The support bar li is provided with a plurality oi spaced holes I9 which permit bars i2 to pass therethrough. Each link i8 is bifurcated in order to surround the respective bar l2 and is clamped thereto by a bolt ita. The other end of each link IE is pivotally connected to bar It by a rivet or bolt 21B. A lever 2l provided with a rearwardly sloped handle portion 2id is secured to one of the links i@ by bolts or rivets 2lb. Rotation of such lever in a clockwise direction as shown in Figure 2 forces bar it to move towards the right and each link lil being pivotally secured thereto will be rotated correspondingly, thereby effecting rotation oi bars l2 and hence rotation of spikes i3. The spikes i3 may be secured in any desired position oi adjustment by a lock lever 23. Locking lever 23 is pivotally mounted on a bolt 22 utilized also to pivotally secure the pair of links IB immediately rearward of the extreme front links to bar iii. A collar ld surrounds bolt 22 and such collar is disposed between the links I8 to maintain such links spaced apart, bar i@ being mounted on collar 96a. Another collar 22d and a washer 23h surrounds bolt 22 between the head portion of such bolt and the adjacent link IS thereby spacing such link Yfrom such head portion. Lever 23 is then mounted on collar 23d and washer 23h prevents the head portion oi bolt 22 from binding against lever 23 while at the same time allowing pivotal movement oi the lever 23 about collar 230,. A transverse headed pin 20s is provided in lever 2i as best shown in Figure 6 and such pin is selectively engageable with any one of a plurality of spaced holes 25 provided in lever 23.

The underside of the head of pin 2li is utilized to lock pin 2li in the selected position as shown in Figure 6, such head portion engaging the adjacent face of lever 23 to prevent the head from pulling through a selected hole 25. A spring tension is provided in lever 2-3 to maintain the engagement above described. Such spring tension is effected by providing an oliset end portion 23d on lever 23 which is engageable with bar it slightly beyond the hinge point 22. Lever 23 contacts the oset portion ita of bar i6 so that the rear end of lever 23 is 'forced slightly away from bar it. Hence an appreciable force is required to bring lever 23 and lever 2i together suiciently to permit engagement of headed pin 24 in hole 25. When the two levers are brought together as shown in Figure 6, a slight downward movenient of lever 23 brings the uppermost surface of hole 25 into contact with the shank portion of pin 2d whereupon the head oi such pin overlies the adjacent surface of lever 23 to rictionally secure such levers in the desired position of adjustment due to the lateral springing of lever 23.

Thus, spikes I3 may be locked in any desired position within the limits oi movement of links I8. A corresponding spike adjusting mechanism is provided for each additional section of the harrow pivotally secured to the central harrow section.

In the center of main narrow unit it a pair of bars 2t are secured to spaced points on lower bar support member il and have their other ends secured by a pin 26a. A pair of parallel links 2l are pivotally secured to pin 26a, straddling arms 26 and are connected at their other ends to a cantilever type supporting arm or lever 28 as shown in Figure l. Arm 2S comprises a substantially rectangular bar-like member having a downwardly bent end 22. Such arm is utilized to support spike harrow lil in a raised transporting position as will be later described.

A substantially inverted V-shaped frame 3@ is provided for carrying spike harrow lil. Such frame is adapted for mounting on the hydraulically operated hitch links 32 oi a well-known type of tractor indicated at 5E! and comprises a horizontal draw bar 3l of tubular construction which has a vertical strut 32 consisting oi a pair oi spaced rectangular bars centrally welded thereto. A transverse hole 33 is provided near the top of strut 32 to permit insertion of a pin therethrough so that the compression or top link ld oi the wellknown three link implement lifting linkage of the tractor 553 may be pivotally secured thereto. Channel-shaped braces 35 are secured respectively to each end of support arm El and near the top oi strut 32, preferably by welding. A pair or channel iron Vertical struts 35 are disposed equidistantly from the strut 32 on bar 3l and are welded at each respective end to the bar 3l and respective brace 35. Each strut 3E supports a horizontally disposed projecting pin Si. The lower hitch links 38 of tractor 5t are mountable on pins 3l by the usual spherical type bearing (not shown) provided in the free end @tu oi each hitch link 38.

A substantially radially disposed, rearwardly projecting, channel-shaped support Se is horizontally welded to bar 3l and to a reinforcing ring 38a which partially surrounds bar 3i and is welded to such bar. Support 39 is centrally disposed on bar 3i in alignment with vertical strut 32. A transverse hole 46 is provided in support 3e in order that the forward end of cantilever arm 2B may be pivotally secured within the U portion of arm 39 by a pin M.

The spike tooth harrow Iii is additionally trailingly and flexibly connected to draw bar 31 by a pair of transversely spaced connecting links d2. A bifurcated lug 23 is welded to opposite ends of draw bar 3l, as best shown in Figure 3, and each link i2 is pivotally mounted within its respective bifurcated lug 43 by a transverse pin fito. Each link 22 is in turn pivotally mounted within a bifurcated bracket 55 welded to the forward edge of the frame oi narrow lil. A transverse pin 56 connects link 42 with bracket E5 as shown in Figure 2.

In a normal working position of the spike tooth harrow as shown in Figure 2, the hitch links 38 oi the tractor are in the lowered position. W hen in such position frame 30 is in its lowermost position and the bight portion 39h of support 39 is not in contact with cantilever lever 22.21, thus the weight of the harrow i@ rests solely on the ground and the narrow may move vertically independently of the tractor, hence can follow ground irregularities. Adjustment ci the vertical angular position of spikes I3 may be conveniently eifected by rotating lever 2| in a clockwise direction as shown in Figure 2. Locking lever 23, however, must be raised slightly to permit lateral disengagement of headed pin 24 from one of the plurality of holes 25 in such locking member. When the spikes I3 are adjusted to the position desired, lever 2| is then locked by locking lever 23, the headed pin 24 being inserted through the selected hole in locking member 23.

When it is desired to raise harrow l to a transporting position, the hydraulically operated hitch links 38 are raised, which lifts frame 30 vertically. In so doing, the bight portion 39h of arm 39 contacts the underside of lever 28 when the frame 30 is raised slightly. Hence, as the frame is raised to a higher position, lever 28, being connected to harrow l0 through the medium of links 21, lifts harrow I0 from the ground to a transporting position. The end sections of the harrow may be manually folded to overlie the central section, the hinged joint at each end of bar 3| conveniently permitting such folding, thus the Width of the harrow is substantially reduced for transporting purposes.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily apparent that there is here provided a harrow construction which can be conveniently and readily transported in an elevated position so that no damage will be done to either the harrow spikes or to any paved roadways or grassed waterways and yet without interference with the ilexibility of the harrow in operation. The hitching arrangement used for connecting the spike tooth harrow to the vertically swingable draft links of the tractor is so simple that a minimum of time is lost in connecting or disconnecting the harrow from the tractor. The locking means utilized for securing the spikes in any selected position of adjustment is not only simple in design but positively locks the spikes where desired.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a Wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claim.

We claim:

An implement hitch for a tractor having a pair of vertically swingable, transversely spaced hitch links and a top link pivotally mounted on the tractor comprising in combination a frame, said frame including a horizontal draw bar and a vertical strut on said draw bar, means for attaching the free ends of the hitch links to said frame, means for connecting said top link to the upper end of said vertical strut, a rearwardly projecting lifting element on said draw bar, said lifting element having a generally U-shaped cross section, and a lever member pivotally mounted within said lifting element, the free end of said lever member being adapted for connection to a ground engaging implement, the bight portion of said U-shaped lifting element being constructed and arranged to contact said lever member when said frame is partially raised to form a rigid connection between said lifting element and said lever whereby said lever lifts the implement as said hitch links are raised.

References Cited in the file 0f this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

